Following our head-to-head on general team stats, this time we will focus on our Finalists’ goalkeepers, as the 2021/22 Champions Hockey League Final creeps even closer.
Both Rögle Ängelholm and Tappara Tampere have relied heavily on their backstops this season. Their offensive styles of play – both clubs have scored over 40 goals this season and are in the top three most scoring teams of 2021/22, have left their nets vulnerable to counter attacks and breakaways and in situations like those, a calm and composed netminder is the only thing standing in the way of an extra goal up on the board.
Rögle have relied on their two goalkeepers equally, with Christoffer Rifalk making seven appearances so far this season and partner Calle Clang making six so far.
Both have racked up over 350 minutes in the net this season and have played their part in Rögle’s historic run to the CHL Final.
Rifalk, the more experienced of the two netminders, has featured in Rögle’s last three CHL games, including both Semi-Finals wins over reigning champions Frölunda Gothenburg, and is more likely to start for the SHL team in next week’s Final.
The 187cm tall goalie boasts a save percentage of 93.91% which makes him one of the best in the business this season. The 25-year-old has let just 12 goals hit the back of his net, which is just under two per game, and has made 185 saves.
In the case that partner Calle Clang is appointed for net duty for the Final, rest assured that Rögle are in good hands.
The 19-year-old has a slightly lower save percentage of 89.73%, but has proven that despite his age, he can be counted on. The youngster has played in big games over the course of the season, including Rögle’s 5-2 away win over Sparta Prague in the Quarter-Finals and has also protected his crease against the likes of Red Bull Munich and ZSC Lions Zurich.
How does Tappara’s goalie of choice compare?
Unlike Rögle, Tappara have relied on a single netminder all season long – Christian Heljanko.
The 24-year-old is in his sixth season with Tappara and unlike any of Rögle’s offerings, already has four seasons of CHL hockey under his belt.
The 182cm tall goalkeeper has saved 211 shots in his 632 minutes of game time this season and most impressively recorded two shutouts, those coming from his side’s Quarter-Finals clash with the Rouen Dragons and their most recent game, a single game Semi-Final against Munich where everything was on the line.
The Finn boasts a save percentage of nearly 90% and has let only 2.37 goals into his net on average.
The Final will truly be the biggest stage for goalkeepers this season and it’s good to know that some of the best of the season will be on the ice for the occasion.
Tune in later this week for more head-to-head Rögle vs Tappara articles!
Follow us on social media!
We are on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - follow us to keep up to date on everything CHL-related.